Working With Real Estate Agents

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Most likely, you already know that I advocate working with Realtors in my BuyersFirstProgram. It's the best way to achieve investment success. Of course, you should work with Realtors who know what they're doing; otherwise, you're wasting your time as an investor (not to mention that of the buyers and sellers).

In this article, I'll give you some guidelines for choosing the best Realtors to work with in any investment situation. If you're already an experienced investor, this information may seem very basic, but it's also good to practice fundamental principles on a daily basis. Ask any professional athlete!

Guideline #1: Choose a Full-Time Professional Realtor. This may seem very obvious, but remember there are always part-time real estate agents out there wanting commissions. Most are either mediocrities or amateurs who check in when the market is hot and check out when it slows. So, weed these individuals out by asking for their experience, qualifications, sales, etc. Then, go with the Realtors who have a demonstrated record of excellence over time.

Guideline #2: Choose a Specialist. Ideally, you want a Realtor who specializes in your particular area of investment. So, if you specialize in the single-family home market, look for an agent who has considerable experience and expertise in that area. Do the same for multi-unit, commercial, retail, and industrial markets. By the way, don't just accept a Realtor's word that he or she is an expert in a particular market. Ask for proof in terms of sales within your target market.

Guideline #3: Verify Realtor Credentials. Check with your state online database to make sure the agent is fully licensed and has no citations, disciplinary actions, etc. on his or her record. If a Realtor has ethics problems, you definitely don't want them staining your reputation, even if it's only by association.

Guideline #4: Ask For and Check References. As with any business, the best proof of success lies in satisfied customers. So, ask the Realtor for references from customers within your target market and geographical area. Contact those references to get a rounded picture of the Realtor's reputation and business practices. Naturally, you'll want to develop a relationship with Realtors with good to excellent reputations for honesty, fair dealing and patience. It'll make the entire investment process a much smoother and more profitable one since you'll be dealing with satisfied customers, not irate ones. Guideline #5: Look For Good Communication Skills. Straight-forward and clear communication is the key to success in any investment deal. So, look for Realtors who listen well to you (and everyone else) and who keep you informed and up-to-date on every transaction. Also, remember that clear communication is your responsibility as well. Make sure the Realtors you choose clearly understand what your investment goals are so they don't waste time bringing properties to you that have nothing to do with those goals.

Guideline #6: Look For Realtors with Strong People and Negotiating Skills. A Realtor can have all the experience in the world, but if he or she doesn't relate well to people, they're no help to your investment deals; they're positively a hindrance! So, seek out agents who are great at making everyone happy while moving them toward a deal with sound negotiating skills. To find out about a Realtor's negotiating skills, ask former clients about how effectively the agent conducted bargaining sessions.

Guideline #7: Remember Your Responsibilities! Once you find a great Realtor, do your part to keep him or her on your team. Bring them good deals, not "ghost" deals that never materialize. After all, your reputation is on the line too, and you want it be a good one since it can help you build a long-term investing career. A Realtor who considers you a reliable and honest investor will bring you deals that never show up on the MLS listings or in the newspapers!

Key Point: Choose full-time Realtors with great reputations and great experience in order to maximize your investment career.

What You Need to Know About Crate Training

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In love with your new puppy and want to make sure you instill good habits right away?

Crate training is your answer.

We all know that puppies get curious in their new home. Their excitement often ends in soiled carpets and frayed sandals. Crate training serves as an effective and humane method to train your puppy early on.

Of course, your puppy will take some time to learn new, good habits. Practice crate training with patience. You and your puppy will reap the rewards.

The Benefit of Crate Training Your Puppy

Many people choose not to crate train their puppy because they believe it is cruel. When done the right way, crate training your puppy makes them feel safe and secure.

Why?

Dogs in the wild live in small spaces called dens. These act as shelters where dogs can rest, recover, or care for their young. Your dog feels a natural instinct to den.

A crate acts as a dogs den. Think of it as your pets personal bedroom in your family home.

Crate training also proves effective for house training your puppy. Youll hover over them less and can feel confident they wont soil their bed.

Another added benefit of crate training is that it reduces your puppys anxiety! If your new puppy is alone, they can feel overwhelmed in their new home or experience separation anxiety. Custom dog crates give your puppy a small, safe, and secure domain while youre away.

Choosing the Right Crate for Your Puppy

The right crate for your puppy allows him or her to lie down, stand up, and turn around in a circle.

Choose a crate with lots of ventilation for maximum comfort.

Of course, your puppies crate will need to grow with them. A great option is to purchase a crate big enough to fit your dog as an adult and use a divider to fit its size as it grows.

Tips for Crate Training Your Puppy

You want your puppy to associate their crate with good feelings only!

Make your puppys new bedroom cozy. Line the bottom with blankets. Add in a few of their favorite toys.

To mimic a den, you can drape a lightweight blanket over top.

Bring your puppy to their crate for naps and relaxation. Start in short time spurts. 10 minutes is a great time for a new puppy as he works up to longer times.

An hour of aerobic exercise should precede and follow your puppys time in the crate. Your puppy will associate the outdoors with elimination through this process. Always praise your puppy for going outside!

As you can see, crate training is a great practice that benefits both you and your puppy.

Keep in mind that you should never leave your puppy in their crate all day. Also, never use a crate as punishment.

These practices make crate training inhumane. They result in negative feelings for your new puppy and yourself.

Above all, remember to stay patient.

With these tips, your puppy will feel at home in their crate in no time!

What Is a Tropical Storm (And How It Works)

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What Is a Tropical Storm? (And How It Works)

If you live in the United States, youre officially in hurricane season. Summer and early fall are prime seasons for storms, but hurricanes arent the only weather threat people face.

So what is a tropical storm exactly? Tropical storms (also known as tropical cyclones) are more common than hurricanes, and by the time some hurricanes make landfall theyre downgraded to a tropical storm. But dont let the word downgrade fool you, tropical storms can be just as dangerous as a hurricane.

What Is A Tropical Storm?

In order to understand what a tropical storm is, you have to understand the elements that go into creating one. There are a variety of tropical weather patterns that play a role forming tropical storms.

Tropical storms start off as tropical depressions. A tropical depression occurs when a low-pressure area and thunderstorms combine and produce a circular wind flow with maximum sustained winds below 39 mph. Most tropical depression winds stay between 25 and 35 miles per hour.

The next step up from a tropical depression is a tropical storm. In order for a tropical storm to form,  cyclonic circulation needs to become more stable and wind gusts need to be between 39 mph and 73 mph. Its important to remember that tropical depressions dont get names, but storms do.

Why Do Tropical Storms Form?

If youre thinking about tropical storms, you may also be curious about why they form. Like with many storms, the conditions for a tropical storm to form need to be just right.

When it comes to tropical storms, the environment is everything. Sea surface temperatures need to be warm, usually around 79 degrees Fahrenheit. There also needs to be high relative humidity from the surface up through the lower levels of the troposphere and low atmospheric wind shear.

These elements alone arent enough to make a tropical storm form, you also need some chaotic weather in the atmosphere. A cluster of thunderstorms or some cyclonic circulation paired with other factors makes the perfect environment for a tropical storm to form.

How Do I Prepare For a Tropical Storm?

If youre asking the question what is a tropical storm, you need to be prepared for dealing with one. Even if you dont live in an area thats prone to tropical storms, you could end up traveling to one. Having storm prep knowledge could help you in a dangerous situation.

If youre concerned about safety during a tropical storm, be sure to keep these tips in mind:

Have a way to get updates from government officials and weather reporters. A solid emergency radio can help during storms. You should also be sure to have your phone charged during a storm.
Be sure to have food and water before a storm. You may not be able to go food shopping for a few days, and water lines could become damaged or polluted.
Always take evacuation orders seriously, dont try to wait out serious storms.
Protect property as best as you can. This can include securing windows and doors or taking care of weak nearby tree branches before they have the chance to detach and harm your property.
Have contact information for emergency electricians, plumbers, or other services for after the storm.

Have you been through a tropical storm before? Do you have tips that could help readers? Be sure to tell us about it in our comments section!

Weight Loss Using Laxatives for Weight Loss is Dangerous!

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Obesity around the world is at an all time high. Related to both the type of diet that is most commonly enjoyed as well as the decreased amount of exercise which people are getting more and more individuals are finding themselves experiencing a growing weight problem. And, related to the fast-paced world in which we live, people are also searching for a magic pill to make the process of weight loss simpler than weight gain.

The simple fact of the matter is, the more you eat the more weight you gain. Our bodies work on a specific scale all food. In other words if you eat less calories than you burn you lose weight and if you eat more calories than you burn you gain weight. However, there is also a point at which the body will go into starvation mode. Those numbers are generally 1200 calories for women in 1500 calories for men. So if a woman needs less than 1200 calories per day her body perceives that it is not getting enough energy each day in order to survive. Going into starvation mode means that the metabolism slows down and no matter how much she doesn't eat she won't lose that much weight.

In a desperation to lose weight fast are some people have turned to the use of laxatives. However, using laxatives in weight loss program is not healthy and it is not safe. This is because of the physiological mechanism through which laxatives work and through which food is absorbed.

When food enters the digestive tract it goes down the esophagus and enters into the stomach. Here gastric juices are mixed with the food in order to help break the molecules down into a form which can be absorbed in the intestinal tract. Food and calorie absorption happens in the small intestines which measures between 18 and 21 feet long in a normal adult.

Next the food enters a large intestines which is significantly shorter (three to 4 feet) and whose main job it is is to reabsorb the excess water and fluid which has enabled the body to keep the food moving easily through the intestines.

Laxatives are a chemical which your tastes the cells of the large intestines, encouraging the large intestines to empty earlier than the body is ready. After losing a large amount of fluid from an early bowel movement the body than compensates by retaining fluid. The initial feeling of dehydration helps the person to "feel" then but within hours the person "feels" bigger because of the amount of fluid being retained in the body.

The body uses this fluid to remove wastes and toxins so by retaining fluid the individual we'll actually feel bad because of the build up of waste products which are normally excreted through the kidneys. At this point many people continue to take more laxatives to get rid of the full feeling again. This sets up a vicious cycle of diarrhea, dehydration and poor waste removal.

Continued use of laxatives will actually lead to cramping, bloating, water retention and will increase the persons risk of developing irritable bowel syndrome and colon tumors.

If you believe you have a problem with laxatives you should consult your primary care physician and and learn specific methodologies of stopping the abuse using several different steps. Unless laxatives are prescribed by a doctor you should stop using them immediately but this is often easier said than done. Many individuals who have had a problem abusing laxatives for more than a week or two may require the help of a mental health professional.

Drink at least eight to 10 8 ounce glasses of water each day in order to help rehydrate the body. Believe it or not, the more you drink the less water you will retain nonetheless feeling of bloating you will have. Do not substitute water for caffeine drinks or alcohol or even juices. And include physical activity each and every day to encourage her body to have a regular bowel movements.

Individuals who have used laxatives over time will find that it's has significantly impacted the ability of their lower intestines to function appropriately. By eating regular meals three times a day and including lots of fruits and vegetables you will actually increase your success rate to stop using the laxatives as well as to lose weight.

Keep a record of your bowel movements each day so that they can be monitored. If you find that you become constipated, or do not have a bowel movements, for more than three days then call your doctor immediately. This is not something you should treat yourself! Your colon will no longer react the same as a normal: after having been abused by laxatives.

You can decrease the risk of having any problems with constipation by increasing the amount of fiber you get in your diet. Fruits, vegetables, nuts and seeds all contain high amounts of fiber which will help your lower intestines to work appropriately. Another option is to sprinkle milled flaxseed over your cereal and salads. This product has little to no flavor, is high in fiber and also high in omega-3 fatty acids.

Remember that you have only this one body. Through long-term abuse using any chemical you will decrease the effective functioning of any part. Unfortunately, this also decreases your overall lifespan and your ability to enjoy a high quality life. Using laxatives in order to achieve a weight-loss goal is completely inappropriate. Do not misunderstand the difference between a colon cleansing, which is done one time every two or three months in order to jumpstart a weight-loss program or cleanse wastes and toxins from the body, with the long-term use of laxatives which do not achieve this goal.

You are able to stop this vicious cycle and on to a healthier and fitter you!

Jane Morrison enjoys writing about health and wellness issues for her readers in a very real way. She also writes at Plus Size Swimsuits

Tags : Weight loss, using laxatives, weight problems, bowel movements

Top lose weight fast free Guide!

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If you want to make a success of lose weight fast and free then you should definitely incorporate elements into your weight loss program that you enjoy. This will help to keep you motivated. What is the use of creating an exercise program that involves getting up early in the morning to go for a jog 6 times a week when you know that you are not a morning person and you hate running! Choose things you find fun. If you like swimming, get yourself down to the pool, if you like to dance, find dance classes in your area. Keep it fun and you will do it more. And another importance thing to lose weight fast free is control your calorie intake everday and always have record of how many calories you have eaten. In other words, you're going to have to keep a daily chart of how much you eat.
Few tips will help you to lose weight fast and free.
Choose a simple chart or book which makes it easy to record information related to your diet.
You may also want to use your calorie chart to determine which foods are healthier for you and which are not. If you drink a soda and eat an apple each day, and you find that you're almost over the daily calorie limit, you could have cut the soda and the apple or eaten less .

The best way to make good the loss is to replace the following meals with a lower calorie count than your daily limit allows you.
At the end of each day, you should total your calories as well as which foods were the worst offenders in terms of large amounts of calories.Make an honest note. Don't cheat. After all the very purpose of the chart is to help you to keep an account of your food intake.
Follow the last tip seriously and you will see the diet chart will actually start working. It will help you to bring discipline in your diet regimen.
You know that the only way to lose weight is to lower your calorie intake than what your body needs, right? Want an easy option for counting calories?
1. Take breakfast cereal mixed with milk or water ( 250 calories )
2. Plus one medium, healthy meal (around 650 calories)
3. add in a salad,vegetables, or fruit (150 calories)
4. Take any snack or a glass low fat dairy milk ( 150 calories )
5. Do exercise if you can

And you have 1200 calories a day just for your diet plan. By taking a few minutes out of your day to keep a count of your calories will easily add years to your life expectancy and make you feel better - healthier in the lose weight fast free process.

Just follow

TOP CARP BAIT MAKING SECRETS -- Attractors hidden in Human Super Foods.

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* Exceptional carp attractors and triggers are hidden in foods recommended for health and illness prevention! This article could make you far more interested in the ingredients labels on your food!

Is it so strange that foods that we could eat every day to keep us healthy are actually PREFERRED by carp!

These are often foods we eat every day and are right under our noses but maybe have not necessarily linked to making great carp baits.

The term super food is being used more and more on our food labels and at first this seems simply a clever marketing ploy. But for a bait maker, these are actually very good indicators of an ingredients potential when used in your baits!

When you look at human super foods and diets that prevent certain illnesses, you will realise that these foods are natural foods which we would in past millennia have eaten on a seasonal or regular basis in pure fresh and unprocessed forms. I believe this fact is the reason our ancestors had far fewer health problems than we have today and in fact, we are certainly poisoning ourselves with the foods we are eating today!

Even if you do not eat food with artificial additives, artificial flavours, preservatives, or artificial foods like hydrogenated vegetable oil and so on, the food you eat today may not contain the high levels of healthy components that can prevent diseases.

Even using your microwave for quick food convenience changes food on a molecular level, changing molecules in vegetables and meats, for example into different and even unknown compounds! The dependence on convenient microwave meals is not surprisingly linked to cancers and other illnesses, especially in the States.

But what has all this to do with catching more fish you may well be asking!

You might have heard about macro-biotic diets, pro-biotic drinks, bio-active yogurts and even isotonic baits! These are all about creating essential food, diet, energy and digestion natural balance. And generating more energy for living rather than constantly depleting it. A massive key to carp baits is energy provision and energy stimulation.

Drugs are just an artificial term for processed and refined natural components of food stuffs we might possibly have eaten in eons past, naturally. There are many foods when if we eat lots at once, of give use immediate feed-back! Including slow and fast energy rushes, highs and even sudden energy drops after certain meals! Some foods even keep your 'hunger pangs' at bay - certainly the opposite of what we as fishermen are aiming to achieve!

Right from breakfast you are eating foods that prevent illness and have strengthening effects on your body. Not only this but there are foods that keep heart attracts at bay.

Other daily foods reduce and balance your blood sugar level, prevent and control diabetes, will thin and cleanse your blood and clean your artery walls, reduce and remove cholesterol build-up and even prevent cancers.

Certain of your foods will stimulate your digestion and improve your digestion function so it takes less energy and improve assimilation of protein foods etc.

Components of your foods can stimulate and strengthen your immune system, cleanse your blood of toxins, flush out your kidneys, improve liver and kidney function, dilate your blood vessels and stimulating your metabolic rate.

Also special foods can shorten your physical activity recovery time and repair and build essential tissues faster. And even give you a feelgood factor, and give you a high! Some even make you want to eat more of them. These effects would sound really effective if only you could put them into in your carp baits!

Not to go into too much detail, here are examples of bait ingredients that will have these very beneficial effects on carp when included in your carp baits, many will already be familiar to you:

* Brewers yeast.

* A massive number of herbs like onion, garlic, fenugreek, ginger, celery, dill, fennel, parsley, etc.

* A massive number of spices like hot and red peppers (e.g. paprika, pimentos,) black pepper, turmeric, cinnamon, nutmeg, clove, mustard etc.

* Wheatgerm forms of soluble fibre.

* Whey protein isolates and other extremely digestible proteins.

* Betaine. (We take as a digestion aid in hydrochloride form.)

* Volatile essential oils like peppermint, sage, thyme, orange, and lemon.

* Many fish oils like cod liver oil and nut and seed oils like hemp oil and sesame seed oil. Many are used as human health supplements!

* Mineral and trace element supplements. And essential sodium chloride.

* Vitamins like vitamin C, B6, B12, niacin, folic acid etc.

* Others like tomatoes, powdered liver, blue and parmesan cheese etc.

* Numerous types of beans, pulses, peas, nuts, root, leaf, bark, berry and other fruit extracts and so on.

(* Aspirin? Bicarbonate of soda???!)

Carp will not detect these foods quite like we do. For example, in water they will not detect the distinctive garlic odour that we recognise, but having eaten it they will feel or appreciate its effects.

An example for us to feel is the combination of roast beef or smoked mackerel, with a thick topping of cracked black peppers. Without the peppers we do not digest these foods as well and they just taste and smell better in combination!

Even whole-meal rice tastes better and if far healthier than the white refined form and the same applies to wheat flour too. Apply this to soya flour in your bait and you might want to use the least refined product as possible. Freshness of food and bait ingredients is very important too, especially retaining more available vitamins.

You might even ask, why bother with vitamins and minerals, (regardless of their attraction properties,) well you would prefer to regularly eat food that GAVE YOU LOTS MORE ENERGY, that did not make you feel bad, right!

I got hooked on eating chocolate for a short period of time, along with coffee too. These stimulants played absolute havoc with my energy levels, blood sugar levels and mood balance too.

Balance is the key here, and both coffee and chocolate contain stimulants that affect our feeding and drinking behaviour even if only in the short-term! Carp feeding is affected by these and similar stimulants in foods too.

Even Coke and Red Bull will provide a short-term energy rush, or high in us or carp. Carp have been proven to have dopamine receptors. Dopamine is a feel-good alkaloid in caffeine. Perhaps you might try crushed caffeine tablets in your baits your carp are getting in it that Red Bull, Coke, Chocolate and coffee anyway!

You can take your food and drugs too far and it is only ethical to catch fish on bait that is beneficial to their long-term health. But having said that, ready-made baits have been made from all kinds of dubious quality ingredients, including industrial grade casein, by commercial bait companies, and lakes have not been filled with dead fish yet.

But perhaps, when you make your own homemade boilies, it will give you a good feeling to know that your ingredients will keep your fish happy, healthy and feeling good as you hook them!

The author has many more fishing and bait edges up his sleeve. Every single one can have a huge impact on catches. (Warning: This article is protected by copyright, but reprints with a link are OK.)

By Tim Richardson. The thinking anglers fishing author and expert bait making guru.

For more expert bait making information and cutting edge techniques see the expert acclaimed new ebook / book:

BIG CARP BAIT SECRETS!

http://www.baitbigfish.com

These 12 Volt LED Lights are Just the Bright Idea You Need

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Everyone could use a little more lighting. Sitting in the dark all day makes people feel gloomy, and its not all in your head.

Theres a proven link between darkness and depression.

Feel like the walls are closing in? Get some lights! Its really that easy.

In addition to staving off depression, a well lit home just look more inviting. Theres something friendly about glimmering lights that says, Come in, were happy to see you!

Isnt that what we all want from our home? An inviting place that shelters from the ills of the world.

A place that welcomes you with open arms, no matter what troubles the day provided.

Well, it turns out this is all easily attainable with a little work and a few LED lights. Anyone can have a well-lit home without breaking the bank.

Were breaking down exactly how to brighten up your living space, and why these 12 volt LED lights are exactly what you need to make it happen.

LEDs in the Kitchen

LED lights are low intensity, meaning the wont blind you at close range. Theyre also relatively compact, which makes the perfect for kitchen lighting.

Consider installing LED tape lights underneath your cabinets to provide countertop lighting. Trust us, cutting veggies with good lighting makes a world of difference.

The strip lights are easy to install, and theyre quite actually just plug and play.

Stick the light strip wherever you want, and then plug the power supply into the wall. Theres no wiring work to do, and really the whole process takes minutes.

People without stove lights might also find LED tap lights useful for cooking. The lights are durable enough to stand up to both heat and grease, making them ideal for illuminating your stove top.

Drawers and Cabinets

Ok, so these spaces wont light your home, but everyones cursed the lack of light at the back of their cabinets.

LED strip lights work great inside of cabinets and drawers. Both spaces are small enough that your homes ambient lighting doesnt penetrate their nooks and crannies.

Installation is the same as your kitchen lights, only youll probably want slightly smaller strips (at least for the drawers).

The best part is theres no need to worry about your lights heating up your cabinets or drawers if you forget to turn them off. LEDs generate almost no heat.

Get Festive

Yes, the holiday season is over, but that doesnt mean you cant look forward to next year.

One great thing about LED lights is that they come in almost any color you can imagine.

Youre probably not going to use colored lights during the year (or maybe youll throw a dance party, no judgements here), but at Christmas time colored LEDs can make your home magical.

Pointing red and green standalone lights at your tree creates a truly remarkable backdrop.

LED lights are perfect for any scenario. They can stave off depression, brighten up the home, and work in virtually any setting.

Hopefully, you found some of these project ideas interesting. Never knock the power of efficient lighting.

The Truth About Egg Donors 5 Myths Debunked

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The Truth About Egg Donors: 5 Myths Debunked

If youve been thinking about becoming an egg donor or using donated eggs to have a child, youve probably found a lot of contradicting information.

Its important to understand the process and know what to expect when it comes to such an important decision.

Lets debunk some popular misconceptions so you can be armed with the right information.

Myth 1: It is painful and uncomfortable to donate eggs.

During the preparatory period before the egg donation takes place, donors must inject follicle stimulating hormones.

There can be some side effects, including a headache, upset stomach, and cold-like symptoms. The majority of the time, these effects are mild and short-lived.

Concerning the actual procedure where the eggs are retrieved, there is no surgical incision, it rarely takes longer than 15 minutes, and the donor is lightly sedated.

As with the hormones, women report only mild side effects. If you get some over-the-counter pain meds at the drugstore, you should feel fine.

Heres the bottom line: there are some mild side effects you could experience as a donor, but most women report little to no pain.

Myth 2: Donating eggs will hurt my fertility.

There are a couple of common misconceptions that contribute to this myth.

One is that donating eggs will deplete your egg storage.

Women are born with hundreds of thousands of eggs. During the donation procedure, the number of eggs harvested is the number that a woman naturally produces during ovulation.

What does this mean? It means that you would only be donating the number you would naturally lose that month anyway.

Another misconception is that the hormones you take can hurt your fertility.

This is also false: the hormones you take as a donor are similar to your natural hormones, and will not cause infertility.

Myth 3: Donating eggs is detrimental to my health.

There have been claims that donating eggs can lead to breast or ovarian cancer.

But according to recent research, theres no convincing evidence that egg donation causes cancer.

Myth 4: Anyone can be an egg donor, even someone who is uneducated or sick.

Donors go through a screening process in order to become donors and ensure the eggs donated are of good quality.

Some of the common requirements for donors are:

Must have a high school diploma or equivalent
Have a body mass index lower than 29
Be in their 20s
Have good physical and mental health
Are a non-smoker who doesnt use drugs

Depending on the clinic, there may be other requirements pertaining to personal and family history of cancer, heart disease, and psychiatric conditions.

Myth 5: Egg donors only want money.

While there is a financial component to being an egg donor, money is by no means the only motivator.

Many people consider donating eggs so they can help those who are infertile to start a family. It can be immensely gratifying to help someone in need to have a child.

Bottom Line

Choosing to donate eggs or use an egg donor is a big decision, but it can also be extremely rewarding.

Hopefully, this post has given you a better and more accurate understanding of egg donation.

If you have any thoughts, opinions, or experiences related to egg donation, feel free to leave a comment!

The Kitchenaid Meat Grinder Attachment

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Kitchenaid has long been one of the most trusted brands when it comes to kitchen appliances. Since 1919, they have been giving homeowners and professional cooks alike great quality. They are most popular for their mixers. However, did you know that you can take your simple mixer and use it for a different purpose entirely?

The Kitchenaid meat grinder attachment is one of the most useful investments you can have in your kitchen. Expand your mixers flexibility tenfold with this useful product. Not only does it grind various meats; you can also grate hard cheeses. Because of the high powered mixer used as a base, even grinding parmesan cheese wont be a problem. You can also make your very own breadcrumbs and season them according to your taste. You save time and money, because you wont have to buy processed breadcrumbs, pre-grated cheeses, and ground meat. You can do everything in the comforts of your very own home. You can grind meat, fruits and vegetables in a snap!

Youll be surprised at how much youll use this kitchenaid meat grinder attachment. You can prepare food for a small family of four, or a roomful of people. It comes with a lot of different attachments, so you can use it in a lot of different food items. Because it is so easy to grind items with this grinder, youll use it often. Make ground meat, both marbled and lean, from pork, chicken, beef or venison. Use it on cooked or raw meat without a problem. Even hard-to-grind chickpeas will work! Because of there are two sizes of grinding plates that come with the package, you have control over the texture and quality of your food. You can make burgers and sausages without much difficulty.

The attachment is made out of plastic, so none of the dirt or slime from the meat or other food will stick to eat. Clean up is a breeze because the attachment is completely dishwasher safe, nothing could be easier! For the metal pieces, you can easily hand wash them without much difficulty. Its also very easy to use. Just snap it on and you can start grinding. Choose between fine or course grind. Its time that you control what you put in your burgers and sausages. If you want a vegetarian sausage or burger, simply grind some vegetables to create the perfect vegetarian burger. Youll save a lot of money, and youll be healthier as well.

Get rid of your hand-crank grinder, thats old news! Making burger patties with your food processor? That wont give you the texture you want. Youll only get crumbly, dry burgers. You can even grind your nuts and mince your ham with this handy device. With a small investment like this one, your options will greatly expand. The new improved wooden stopper makes this kitchenaid meat grinder even more efficient. Made by kitchenaid, you can be sure of the quality of the meat grinder attachment and will be using this for a very long time.

The IRS Froze My Bank Account!Can They Really do That

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Yes! The IRS does have the ability to freeze your bank account. This is called a Bank Levy. As a former IRS-Hitman, I am here to tell you that this does happen and will happen to you if you dont pay attention to the correspondence from the IRS.
Watch out, here they come. The IRS is within its authority to place a levy on your bank account if you are delinquent in paying back tax debt. What this means is that they will call your bank and essentially freeze you out. Yes, this means all money coming in under direct deposit is frozen too. This is their way of getting back the money that you owe.

Know the Steps to a Bank Levy: A bank levy is not something that happens over night. In fact, it is something that you ultimately have control over. The IRS is required to go through a step by step process before they can legally put a bank levy into action. Learn the steps so you know what youre dealing with:

1. You will receive a notice and demand for payment from the IRS for the amount that you owe in back taxes. You will need to immediately contact the IRS and find out what to do next.

2. If you fail to respond to this notice, you will receive a final notice from the IRS. This is to let you know of their intent to Levy. It is also a notice of your right to a hearing after the levy has been placed. You will get this final notice 30 days before the IRS actually talks with your bank and freezes your account.

3.If you once again fail to contact the IRS after you receive final notice then the levy will be placed and you will not be able to access your money.

Dont Let it Happen to You: If you receive notices from the IRS, make sure you take the time to read them. But remember, this alone is not going to prevent a bank levy from happening. You will have to make sure to get in contact with the IRS and work out some type of tax settlement plan that works for you.

Last Chance! If you think that a bank levy was wrongly put in place, you do have some recourse as well. You do have an additional 21 days once the IRS has frozen your assets to work something out with them. This is your last chance however, once that final 21 days is up, your money is gone!

Now you have the smoking gunUse it!

The advantages of teleshopping over online shopping

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I know many of you buy products online, but how many of you have bought things via teleshopping? I have many channels in my Time Warner Cable connection that telecasts various deals for products. There are many advantages of buying a product through teleshopping instead of online. But, before I get into the advantages of teleshopping over online shopping, I must stress on the fact that the connection that you have at home should have a great picture and sound quality. This would give a clear idea on the product that you are about to buy. If you notice, when a product is being sold through television, the marketers have a program dedicated solely for the particular product. First, they showcase the product, talk about the features or the different parts and finally on the advantages of the product. These programs usually go on for an hour and they dont end up in thirty seconds like the advertisements. By the end of the program, you would have a complete knowledge about the product even if you did not have any idea about it before. I was watching a program where they were marketing a vegetable cutter. You can cut anything with it (cheese, shallots, etc.) and at any shape (slices, cubes, etc.). They made an excellent Caesar salad in a matter of minutes and without touching the knives! Though I have seen these products in the super markets, I was not very interested in buying them. I thought that they were fancy kitchen equipment that can be used to decorate the kitchen rather than having any use. But when I saw the things that can be done with it, I was amazed. It actually saves up a lot of cooking time. So the biggest advantage with teleshopping is that you get to see an in-detailed demonstration of the product. They talk about every part of the product to give an idea about the features that are available. Then they show how the product can be used and the various ways in which it can be put to use. This gives us an idea about the usage of the product. Similar to the experience that I had with the cutter, there are many of us who are not aware about the advantages or uses of many products. We just assume that the product does not have any use. These demonstrations help us to understand the product better. The marketers take time in providing detailed information for us and take a minimum of 10 or 15 minutes to explain about the product. You would be able to gauge the size of the product. Often online shopping websites provide an enlarged version of the product. But when it comes home, it would be smaller than what you expected. They would provide the measurement of the product, but how many of us take the pains to calculate the measurement? The product details given are usually insufficient. This is not the case with teleshopping. As a customer, you would be aware about the size and the other details of the product that you are about to buy. The products that are usually sold though television often make a great buy as they have some pretty good offers. They either have a good discount or come with great deals. The goods that are bought through television are delivered home directly. If any installation is required, then it is done completely by the marketers of the product. You would not have any problems in using the product that you have bought as you would have seen an in-detailed demonstration on the television
Samantha Kirk is a freelance writer and an active blogger. She enjoys writing on marketing related topics. In this article, she has written about the advantages of shopping on TV which can be connected through providers like Time Warner Cable.

The 8 Best Ski Resorts in the World You Need to Try

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Skiing is one of the ultimate forms of getting an adrenaline rush.

The thrill of being in the middle of the great outdoors is priceless. Between shredding the slopes and taking in the scenery, theres no such thing as a bad day skiing.

However, there is such a thing as a top-notch ski resort and a mediocre one. If you are planning on chasing thrills in the near future, be sure to go all out.

Heres a list of the best ski resorts in the world to help you start your travel plans.

The Best Ski Resorts In The World

1. Sun Valley, Idaho

Sun Valley is Americas oldest ski resort.

For over 70 years, it has been welcoming skiers to this beautiful mountain. Yet, many Americans jump to well-known skiing towns without even realizing the beauty of Sun Valley in Idahos backyard.

This means more space to ski and enjoy the ride for the locals at this resort. It is easily one of the best-kept secrets in the skiing world.

2. Park City, Utah

If youre looking for ample space to play and different areas to ski, head to Park City.

This is the largest resort in the States, with big thrills for the whole family. At 7,300 acres, there is sure to be the perfect easy route for the beginner in the group to try.

For the more experienced skier, theres plenty of fresh powder and big bowls to enjoy.

3. Telluride, Colorado

Telluride offers everything a skier can ask for.

Enjoy tough terrain to test your skills or take the skids on a simple cruise through the mountain.

At the end of the day, enjoy a quick ride right into town on your skis. You can literally finish a slope and walk into the nearest coffee shop or pub in just a few minutes!

4. Vail and Whistler-Blackcomb, Colorado

This American destination is not just one of the best ski resorts in the world, but arguably one of the most popular.

Every year, Vail welcomes over 5 million locals and international ski enthusiasts alike. With the pristine beauty and perfect conditions of the back bowls and the excellent reporting standards, its no surprise Vail is a favorite.

Whistler-Blackcomb recently joined Vail resorts, meaning more space and chances to ride your favorite slopes with the Epic Pass. Click here for the best gear in town to ski in style and ultimate comfort.

5. Are, Sweden

This is the largest snow resort in all of Northern Europe.

Skiers can enjoy their favorite kinds of runs and try their hand at other snow sports, too. For those looking to really up their skills, this is an ideal opportunity to try heli-skiing.

6. Alpe dHuez, France

Alpe dHuez is a skiers paradise.

The peak of the mountain offers one of the best panoramas out there, with a view of one-fifth of French terrain. You can expect for the sun to shine for most of your visit and guide your path on the slopes.

The village is also known for cultural events and many other snow sports, meaning there is always something to do.

7. Saalbach Hinterglemm, Austria

Austrias largest ski resort is waiting to welcome you on over 70 lifts to fun and adventure.

The mountain is equipped with everything from challenging runs to thrill-filled fun parks. To catch your breath, enjoy one of 50 huts on the mountain serving traditional Austrian treats.

8. Gstaad, Switzerland

For a little bit of everything and a whole lot of luxury, head straight to Gstaad.

This is a gem of the snow world, offering everything from skiing, hiking, ice skating, and tobogganing. No matter what sport you choose, make sure to stop and enjoy the views.

Discover One Of The Best Ski Resorts In The World

Ready to pack your skis and hit the slopes?

Some of the biggest thrills and most memorable moments are waiting, no matter your destination of choice.

Join our travel community for the ultimate adventure tips and tricks.

The 5 Most Famous Escorts of All Time

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If Game of Thrones has taught us anything, its that prostituting yourself can lead to ruling the world.

This is true in the real world, too. Our history is full of famous escorts whove become household names.

Here are 5 people who turned tricks for money, even though their names are more mainstream than Coca-Cola.

Heidi Fleiss: The Queen of Famous Escorts

She is the most famous madame of all time. Or at least her client list was the most famous.

When she started telling her story, few people were surprised when she outed famous slime like Mickey Rourke and Charlie Sheen.

However, things were different in 2016 when she sold her black book. Her book alleged that the man who crafted your childhood, George Lucas, was a client. So was Johnny Depp.

Calamity Jane

This part of the famous gunslingers life was really downplayed on the HBO hit Deadwood. And we thank the creators dearly for that. They focused more on her life as a gunfighter, professional gambler and profane piss-tank.

She was also known to turn some tricks as a means of making money back in the day. Sort of a pioneer among our list of famous escorts.

Marilyn Monroe

Yes, one of the most famous sex symbols of all time is rumoured to have spent some time in the sex trade. She was an escort girl for the rich and powerful.

By all accounts, Hollywood in the 50s and 60s was an even dirtier place than it is today. Most of the famous actresses were also secretly famous escorts.

But its a bit more surprising when you consider how she did afterward. Were talking about one of the most celebrated beauties of all time and the icon of glamour for that era. She also (allegedly) bedded a US President and Mickey Mantle.

Russell Brand

The former Mr. Katie Perry had a rough past, as hell be the first to tell you. Now, many are debating how many details of his years before super-stardom are made up and how many actually happened.

However, Russ has gone on the record saying that while he was going in and out of rehab, he was forced to work as a male prostitute.

Hes now got an estimated net worth of about 15 million dollars. So as long as he has a savings account, he presumably wont return to that lifestyle.

Kim Kardashian

Deal with it, Kanye fans. Not only is she the most famous porn star in the world, she is also one of the most famous escorts.

Apparently her family really, really wanted her to bag a baller of any sort. Her services were offered to the Knicks Danilo Gallinari (now a Clipper).

In return, the Knick would get sex and he was told (by her family) it would be good for his career and that he would garner lots of media exposure. They were basically pimping her out to anyone who could dunk.

Later she would famously marry NBAer Kris Humphries and promptly destroy his thriving career.

Like this article? See what else weve got to say in our blog.

Term Deposits

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A term deposit involves depositing an amount of money with a financial institution and making an undertaking not to make a withdrawal for a specified period in time. This time period or term is normally anywhere between 3 months and 5 years. Once the term expires, you can choose to either withdraw the money and the interest you have earned, or to make a redeposit. Generally speaking, the longer the term, the greater the returns on the money deposited.

For the Australian consumer, it is unfortunate that term deposit plans have not been rated by Cannex as yet. This certainly makes identifying the top term deposit plans more difficult than if the rating had already been done. To help you along your way, here are a few things you may want to bear in mind when researching and comparing term deposit plans.

Assess your future financial needs before committing to a term deposit

Before you enter into a term deposit, you will need to know how much to deposit and how long you want the term to be. When making this decision, be sure to take a good hard look at the foreseeable future, to plan your cash flows carefully and to consider any longer term contingencies that may result in your having to prematurely end the term deposit agreement. Only deposit money you are fairly certain you will not need for the term of the deposit.

Interest rate cycles influence term deposit viability Interest rates are cyclical. At times they are at a high and at other times, low. Make a point of understanding where the interest rates are at before entering into a term deposit. This is especially valid if you opt for terms two years and longer. At present, the Australian interest rates are fairly high and you may stand to benefit from being locked in at this higher rate over the term of the deposit - more so if the interest rate cycle takes a downward turn.

Choose the best banking institution for your term deposit

Shop around. When you evaluate the different term deposit plans offered, be sure to consider the following:

o Minimum amount - most banking institutions have a minimum amount that has to be deposited when opening a term deposit account.

o Interest rate - These differ greatly between banks. Also check whether the rate is variable or fixed.

o Account fee - Some institutions waive account fees. Make a point of understanding hidden fees and charges.

o Minimum term - make sure that the bank's minimum term matches the term you require.

o Penalty fee - Early withdrawal generally results in a penalty. Check what the maximum penalty will be if you are forced to make a withdrawal before the end of the term.

o Renewal and Withdrawal window - In the fine print, you should look out for the automatic renewal clause. This clause generally details that should you not withdraw your money within a certain time frame after term deposit expiry, your money will be re-deposited.

Finally, do not hesitate negotiating for better interest rates and better terms. There is a very real chance that you will find the banks fairly ready to compromise in order to secure your term deposit business.